The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-25
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS
CORRECTS The INTERVIEW
ABOUT PRESIDENT
Cleveland That Appeared Recently
In the Cincinnati "Enquiror"-
Blaine's Chances Diminishing.


NRw York, April 22.-The Evening
Post says that Mr.. George William
Quits was quoted recently in the Gin.
cinnsti Enquirer in regard to his views
on the administration OF President
Cleveland, the chances OF his rsnom-
ination and election, the probsbili y
Of Mr.. Blaine receiving the Republic
an, nomination, etc. The report was
not quite in line with what were sup
posed to be The views OF Mr.. Curtis,
and a reporter of the Evening POsi
called upon him at his home on Staten
Island this morning TO question him
on the subject. In the course OF q
long conversation Mr.. Curtis eaid {:
"rhe interview in the Cincinnati En-.
guirer, although written in good faith,
does not exactly express my views in a
number of important points. 7 am
made to say in one instances that Mr..
Cleveland will be defeated II
nomiI aled, on account of the
party leaders in New York.
What | meant TO convey WAS
that the opposition OF the Democrat C
machine in New York was the only
cloud upon his otherwise bright pros
pects. / simply meant to say that if
this opposition should exist at the
time OF the convention, it would be a
bad example to set the rest OF the
country.
81 am o. the opinion that the next
Presidential election will be settled
within twenty mileG around New
York, and this opposition, il II ehould
exist among the leaders of the Demo
cratic party, might injure bis chances,
The great point to be considered is
whether the president Can hold the
independent vote. la the event Of
the nomination OF good, upright man
by the Republican party, will this vote
go with him ? Ys this class OF voters
out Of the Republican party for al
timer Will they continue to support
Mr.. Cleveland il he lie reconstructed
/ think these questions can be an
swered satisfactorily. There is no
doubt that Mr.. Cleveland is a great
deal more popular now than he was
in 1884. The only chance OF salvation
for the DeDoc iC party ito nomi-
nate him. Unless they do 80, think
their chances will be nil. He Is I'M
doubleday distasteful TO large num-
Der Of Democratic politicians, but he
is very popular with large class o.
voters, who see in him an upright,
honest man, who is doing his duty to
the best of his ability.
an the Democratic party there is
large number of young men who. are
anxious to DO the same for tia party
as the young Republicans I'D for
theirs thirty years ago. / Thick fail
ure to nominate Mr.. Cleveland would
undoubtedly aRtagonizs this element,
and any division in the party means
sure defeat. The leaders will also have
to bear in mind the fact thstthey must
have the support of the Independent
vote in order to win.
"The lines between the two parties,
the Republican and Democratic, are
not sharply drawn. There are no great
policies supported by either party.
The fight between them seems TO rect
upon their prestige aud the character
of the men who represent them. No
great measure has been brought up
which has had the support Of either
psrty as a whole. in the last Congress
there was large Democratic majority,
but ii took no action upon thu tariff.
That was just what the Republicans
wanted. The Democratic party, at
any ate, is not unit on this question,
In fact the difference between the par
ties is more a matter OF trad ..,on than
OF fact.
ain regard TO Mr.. Cleveend's sd-
ministration of the civil service, l am
Of the same opinion as TIE Evening
Post. 1t has expressed its views plain
ly OF late. and without hesitation. Mr..
Cleveland has the best intentions, al
though in some cases tho law has not
been carried out as fully az it might
have been. His failures Ia this re-
spect are CT omission rather than com
mission. His strength VIII depend
more on his administration of the
civil service during the mex two years
than on the past two. / do not think
that the Democratic party Fap or will
do otherwise than nominate vim.
"In regard to what the B.publicln
party will do, l scarcely think they
will nominate MIR. Blaine. His
chances are daily diminishing. 1t is
very doubtful il the party IL .lders will
take the position that the Iudepend-
ent voters are lost to their party for
ever. The nomination of Mr.. Blaine
would practically acknowledge this be-
lief. / think that they will nominate
a man who is upright aud respected,
and make an effort to get the INDIE
pendents Of 1884 back into the Re-
publican ranks. Thsfe Emo doubt
that the opposition to machine poll
tics which existed in 1884 Is stronger
and more widely diffused low than it
was then. The leaders Of ahe Repub-
licans will scarcely fly In he face Of
this opposition again. 11ere are
great many able men among them
who will deliberate a great deal before
liakinQ so much "